  Poetry
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| With resolutions to write and edit more, now's the time to find some methods to make both of these processes more productive. Like any other writing, poetry is written and edited, even if the editing starts out as a means of correcting misspellings and other pesky typos. Sometimes, though, simple reading results in some errors slipping through the cracks. At that point, reading the poem aloud might do the trick. |
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How many of you have resolved to either write more or edit more? I thought so. That's quite a few hands raised. Well, writing can be a painful process for some. Editing can be painful for many more. That said, I bet you're looking for some advice on how to make either process a little less straining on your brain. Since a lot of people like to focus on the writing process, I'm going to focus on the editing facet.
Before writing this editorial, I created a poll to get an idea as to what people think of reading poetry aloud while reviewing or editing poems. Here's the poll.
If you don't plan to vote in the poll, I will say this. Over half the members who voted stated that reading a poem aloud helps them with editing their own work and reviewing the work of others. Why might potentially looking a little crazy be helpful in wrangling with poetry? Here are a few reasons.
 It can help the reader/author spot typos. Misspellings and even incorrect homynymns can be overlooked when reading a poem silently to yourself. On the other hand, an oral rendition of the poem will make you stumble over a mispelled or incorrect word. Why? That tiny flub will trigger a mental double-take, and you will react either stutter on the word or make you stop a few syllables later when you realize something isn't right.
It helps the reader/author find rambling lines. This is especially important for forms that use repetons and/or have lenient meter criteria. Some forms I have found to be prone to rambling lines include acrostics, pantoums and sestinas. Rambling lines can also prove problematic with free verse poems as well. When reading such lengthy lines aloud, you run the risk of running out of air or get tongue tied. If either of these two events (or some other form of mouth fatigue occurs), it's time to cut some words out of that line somehow.
It aids in sticking to a meter. I admit I'm not fond of sonnets, but I am aware of the emphasis on meter in this form. I will, however, save my iambic pentameter rant for later.  Anyway, reading a poem aloud can help spot meter deviations, whether intended or not. In most cases, you can find the dominant meter by looking at the last couple syllables in a line. If you wish the verify this, you can work backwards from that foot and see where the stresses are placed in the middle of the line. If the bulk of the line and the end do not match up, you can always look up the pronunciation of the word or words which make up the last foot. The dictionary pronunciation guide will indicate stressed syllables (both primary and secondary) for a given word. Let's take a naturally iambic two syllable word and show its dictionary pronunciation listing.
always = əˈweɪ
The superscript apostrophe-like mark indicates a primary stress. Secondary stresses (denoted by subscript apostrophe-like marks) are found in words with three or more syllables, and in poetry they should be treated as unstressed syllables. Though reading aloud usually catches these meter flubs, verifying stresses with a dictionary (online or hard copy) certainly doesn't hurt.
Now that I've given some reasons for reading poems aloud in editing and reviewing, here are a few tips you might find handy.
 If the poem uses colored font and you can't read it, open up a program (or even ScratchPad window) where you can copy and paste text. When the copied text appears in the window in black, making it easier to read.
Have a glass of water or something nearby (but not so close you might ruin your computer or smudge the ink on the paper). If your mouth gets dry, don't sweat it. Take and sip, breathe in deeply and carry on reading.
If you are reading a narrative poem, reading the work aloud may not be as productive since longer sentences are used. If it follows a form, though, reading it aloud will probably help.
Remember to read a poem silently as well. A couple silent reads should take place first, especially if you are reviewing a poem. These readings help establish context and give you an idea of the tone and mood. Outside of oral readings, tone and mood are concepts better internalized with silent readings. This also gives you respiratory system a chance to relax.
Poems offer great pleasure for oral readings, and the way words are arranged can be ear pleasing indeed. When they're not, it gives you an idea of what needs to be changed to make it soound more pleasurable to yourself and other readers/listeners. Reading a poem aloud isn't necessary, but it does aid the editing process and can make reading poetry a real treat. On that note, may 2007 bring all of you many poetic treats.
(sig by kiyasama, a gift from salliemoffitt)
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Here I've found a handful of poems that are fun to read aloud.
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I also feel everyone should read this informative article on poetry myths. Though it does not mention reading works aloud, it does give poetry readers and writers plenty to think about over the new year.
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I normally do not edit this newsletter, but empty Ask and Answer sections really bother me. So, I set up the poll linked in my editorial to see how people feel about reading poetry aloud in the reviewing and/or editing process. Here are a few comments I received.
From patheral: Great question. I see that there are not that many pollers voting in this one yet. Right now, I'm in the majority, and I wonder if that will remain the same as you get more voters. In this case, I think so, as I can't imagine it going any other way.
It is a good question, and I hope you find the answers your looking for.
Hey there, anpadas! It seems most people find reading poetry aloud helpful, although there are some that do not agree. No matter what, even if a few people voted in the poll, I would have found my answers. With this poll, I was simply looking for how people approach oral readings of poetry as a means of editing or reviewing such verses. In the editing process, there's no cut and dry method of polishing a piece. What matters is the end result. 
From Kate - Writing & Reading  : I read all poetry aloud ~ whether reading, reviewing, or writing it ~ regardless of the form, I like to savor the words and feel the rhythm, cadence, and pace of the words conveying the writer's images and vision. Nobody even looks askance as I mutter to myself on a park bench at lunch; they probably assume I'm just hooked to my cellphone like they are
Good point, Rune. I admit when I review and/or edit, I'm a bit of a stick in the mud about it (and yes, I made that pun on purpose). I'm usually looking for weak spots and have some difficulty simply enjoying the piece. Then again, it is easier to enjoy once it's polished. Then reading it aloud for pleasure becomes a rewarding experience.
From janiesjournal: Elisa,
Reading poetry aloud can sometimes benefit and sometimes take away from what I am looking for.
I usually read it aloud if it is a very sticky question as to if it has rythm and makes sense,
Otherwise, I have to read it silently so my voice does not get in the way of "hearing' it and understanding it.
That's a good reason not to read poetry aloud. Sometimes our voice can give the poem unintended tones and/or moods, and if that makes it into the review, it can baffle the author. However, if you state what it is about the tone that makes it seem a certain way (diction, sentence structure, etc.), it could offer possibilities the author hadn't previously considered.
From Tigger thinks of Prancer  : Great question!
I almost always read poetry aloud (unless there's people around me and I'm being self-conscious.) Anyway, I find it more enjoyable (in addition to the benefits you list).
It makes good flow better and not-so-good flow even more noticable.
But, I find that sometimes, what seems to flow on paper, doesn't flow when read -- do you sometimes see that, too?
Yes, Tigger, I have seen some poems which flow well on paper but not orally. It happened when I was editing "Keep Dreaming last month. Of course, the oral reading helped me pare down a couple rambling sentences in that poem, which made recording it much easier on my tongue and brain.  In that case, reading it aloud helped me spot a flow issue I would not have spotted silently reading it from paper (or screen if you're reading a poem directly from the site). |
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Poetry: January 10, 2007 Issue [#1483]
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